"TAKA at Willow Alley": A culinary adventure in the quaint lanes of Gion Shijo, a must-try Kyoto delicacy!
“TAKA at Willow Alley” is a revered stand-and-drink izakaya hidden in the alleys of Gion Shijo, serving as a secret culinary base in the ancient city of Kyoto.
Stepping inside is like entering a fascinating world of Japanese-Italian fusion that makes you exclaim, “This is unbelievably delicious!” The internationally experienced Chef TAKA, formerly a head chef at Milan’s renowned “NOBU,” guarantees top-notch cuisine.
Start with the signature “Mentaiko Shiso Tempura”: the crispy exterior wraps the savory mentaiko, bursting with shiso aroma with each bite, irresistibly prompting you to order more.
The menu at TAKA on Willow Alley is diverse, ranging from fresh sashimi to creative dishes, all showcasing meticulous care for ingredients.
The ‘Mentaiko Shiso Tempura’ perfectly combines the fresh taste of mentaiko with the aroma of shiso, featuring a crispy exterior and juicy filling that tempts the appetite.
Locals also highly recommend the ‘Italian Sausage’ and ‘Chicken Skin Skewers.’ The rich flavors of the sausage, enhanced by Italian herbs, are unforgettable. The golden, crispy chicken skin seems to flirt with your taste buds, making you want to order more immediately!
The ‘Seven Varieties Sake Tasting’ inside is a sake lover’s dream, offering seven types of ‘Kin Kame’ sake with rice polishing ratios from 40% to 100%. Tasting the different sakes is like an aromatic adventure. Who wouldn’t want to indulge in this little Japanese tavern, sipping and listening to the owner’s tales?
For the main dish, the finale ‘Omelette Rice’ is uniquely delightful! With chicken skewer sauce, white rice, raw egg yolk, and crispy fried burdock strips, this combination is a gentle storm of flavors that makes it hard to take the last bite.
“TAKA on Willow Alley” operates daily from 13:00 to 22:30 (last order at 21:30) and is closed on Tuesdays. Since the restaurant does not take reservations, it is recommended to arrive early to ensure seating. The venue offers both bar and second-floor table seating, suitable for both solo diners and groups.
So, if you’re up for a culinary adventure in Gion Shijo, Kyoto, make sure to head to “TAKA on Willow Alley”! Remember, no reservations are accepted, so arrive early to secure your spot and avoid missing out on this top Kyoto dining recommendation!
Japanese voice menu translation provided at the back
Yanakouji TAKA Restaurant Information
- Budget: Dinner around ¥4,000–4,999
- Type: Standing Bar, Bar
- Phone: +81-75-708-5791
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Business Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday, 1:00 PM–10:30 PM (Last order at 9:30 PM); Closed on Tuesdays
- Address: 577 Nakano-cho, Yanakouji Hachibei Nagaya, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
- Access: About a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line’s “Kawaramachi” Station; about a 7-minute walk from Keihan Line’s “Gion Shijo” Station
- Child-Friendly: No information provided
- Payment Options: Accepts VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX; Electronic payments not accepted
- Smoking Policy: No smoking allowed in all areas
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店舗とのコラボレーションで、無料の音声メニューを作成いたします。ご興味のある方はぜひご連絡ください！goodxssss@gmail.com
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Menu, please!
Order, please
This one, please
Thank you for the meal
Water, please
How do I eat this?
A small plate, please
May I take a photo?
Excuse me, please change the grill net.
Check, please
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Voice Menu, Easy Ordering
Yakitori
焼き鳥
Liver
レバー
Chicken and Leek Skewer
ネギマ
Sauce
タレ
Salt
塩
Chicken Breast
ムネ
Black Vinegar Sauce
黒酢ソース
Sauce
タレ
Salt
塩
Chicken Thigh
モモ
Oil
あぶら
Sauce
タレ
Salt
塩
Chicken Wings
手羽先
Oil
あぶら
Salt
塩
Chicken Tender
ササミ
Wasabi
ワサビ
Plum
梅
Cartilage
ナンコツ
Chicken Skin
トリ皮
Chicken Gizzard
砂ズリ
Chicken Tail
ボンジリ
Chicken Neck Meat
セセリ
Salt
塩
Ponzu Sauce
ポン酢
Rice Dishes
ごはんもの
Rice with Raw Egg
卵かけごはん
Grilled Rice Ball
焼きおにぎり
One Dish
一品
Beef Tataki
牛肉のタタキ
Marinated Firefly Squid
ホタルイカの沖漬け
Tomato Slices
トマトスライス
Sea Urchin Tofu
うに豆腐
Chicken Skin with Ponzu Sauce
とり皮ポン酢
Moromi Cucumber
もろみキュウリ
Moromi Manganji Pepper
もろみ万願寺
Stingray Fin
エイヒレ
Horse Mackerel Overnight Dried
アジの一夜干し
Chicken Tempura
鶏の天ぷら
Chicken Tender Tempura
ささみ天ぷら
Mentaiko Shiso Tempura
明太シソ天ぷら
Salsiccia
サルシッチャ
Grilled Vegetables
焼き野菜
Manganji Pepper
万願寺
Grilled Eggplant
焼きナス
Shiitake Mushroom
しいたけ
King Oyster Mushroom
エリンギ
Yam
山いも
Others
その他
Today's Sashimi
本日のお刺身
Tuna Nakaochi
まぐろの中落ち
Octopus Chunks
たこのぶつ切り
Grilled Camembert Cheese
カマンベールチーズのグリル
Grilled Zucchini
ズッキーニのグリル
Lotus Root Tempura
れんこん天ぷら
Mountain Yam Tempura
山いも天ぷら
Chilled Mozuku Seaweed
ざるもずく
Lightly Pickled Cabbage
白菜の浅漬け
Cod Milt with Ponzu
白子ポンズ
Sake Lees Soup
粕汁
Japanese Sake
日本酒
Polishing Ratio
精米歩合
Glass
グラス
One Go (180ml)
一合
Draft Beer
生ビール
Authentic Pilsner Maruefu
正当派ピルスナーマルエフ
Large Size
大サイズ
Medium Size
中サイズ
Limited Craft Beer of the Month
今月の限定クラフトビール
Large Size
大サイズ
Medium Size
中サイズ
Highball
ハイボール
Nikka Rich
ニッカリッチ
Chita (Whisky)
知多
Yoichi
余市
Yamazaki
山崎
Hakushu Whiskey
白州
Whiskey
ウイスキー
Straight
ストレート
On the Rocks
ロック
Watered Down (usually alcohol)
水割り
Black Nikka
ブラックニッカ
Chita (Whisky)
知多
Yoichi
余市
Yamazaki
山崎
Hakushu Whiskey
白州
Cocktail
カクテル
Spritz
スプリッツ
Mimosa
ミモザ
Gin Soda
ジンソーダー
Plum Wine
梅酒
On the Rocks
ロック
Soda Mixer
ソーダー割り
Willow Shade Liquor
柳蔭
Mojito
モヒート
Shiso Mojito
シソモヒート
Fresh Fruit Sour
生フルーツサワー
Fresh Lemon Sour
生搾りレモンサワー
Tomato Sour
トマトサワー
Italian Wine
イタリアンワイン
Light
軽めの
Bold
重めの
Red Wine
赤ワイン
Bottle
ボトル
Glass
グラス
White Wine
白ワイン
Bottle
ボトル
Glass
グラス
Sparkling
発泡
White Wine
白ワイン
Prosecco
プロセッコ
Bottle
ボトル
Glass
グラス
Sparkling
発泡
Red Wine
赤ワイン
Lambrusco
ランブルスコ
Bottle
ボトル
Shochu
焼酎
Barley Shochu
麦焼酎
Sweet Potato Shochu
芋焼酎
On the Rocks
ロック
Soda
ソーダー
Watered Down (usually alcohol)
水割り
Oolong Highball
ウーロンハイ
Goldfish Cocktail
金魚
Barley
麦
Sweet Potato
芋
Soft Drink
ソフトドリンク
Cola
コーラ
Ginger Ale
ジンジャエール
Orange Juice
オレンジジュース
Oolong Tea
ウーロン茶
Non-alcoholic
ノンアルコール
Non-Alcoholic Beer
ノンアルコールビール
Non-Alcoholic Mojito
